William smith fickett



(No Model.)

W; S. PIOKETT.

DREDGE.

No. 427,165.. Rajented May 6, 1890'.

IIVIN'I'OR WITNIIBSIS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM SMITlI FICKETT, OF ROCHESTER, NEW' YORK, ASSIGNQR TO VILMOT CASTLE & 00., OF SAME PLACE.

DREDGE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 427,165, dated may 6, 1890. Application filed October 22, 1889- Serial No. 327,797. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM SMITH FIcK- ETT, a resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new .and useful Improvements in Dredges; and I do hereby declare the followin g to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

The object of the invention is to simplify and cheapen the construction of dredges or devices intended for discharging powdered material, and also to increase their efficiency; and it consists in the construction hereinafter described and pointed out. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of the improved dredge, and Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the lower part on a larger scale and includes modifications.

The reference-figure 1 indicates a box or receptacle having a nozzle 2 and a cover 3. The box may be made of tin, glass, paper, or other material, and variously ornamented, as desired. The cover may have a screw-thread connection with the receptacle, or it can be adapted to simply slip over or within the same;- or, if desired, it can be permanently afiixed, as by soldering or equivalent means.

4 indicates a short tube formed in the cover or attached thereto. In some cases the cover and tube may be stamped out of sheet metal.

5 indicates a valve-stem or piston-rod, the upper end of which is extended above the cover and normally embraced by a cap 6, which consists of a short tube closed by a knob, and which, preferably, has a screwthread connection with the rod. This tube, by preference, fits over and slides upon tube 4. It is essential that this tube be arranged with its length in the direction of the valverod and be of sufficient sizeand length to suitably hold or support the cap, and it permits the charging therethrough of powder when said cap is removed.

At the foot of the valve-rod is a device which may for convenience be styled either a valve or piston, which consists of two cone-shaped parts 8 and 9, which preferably have a screw-thread connection with the rod. These cones have their apices placed together at the entrance to nozzle 2, and the lower one may be provided with an enlargement to serve as a stop and the upper one may also be so provided, if desired. The

upon the cap 6, so as to force it onto the tube 4 and push down the rod. By this means the spring is compressed and the valve moved to the position shown in Fig. 1.

To prepare the device for use, it is filled with any suitable materialsuch as powdered soap, for example. This may be introduced by removing the cap 6 and then pouring thepowder through the tube 4, or, preferably, if the cover 3 be removable, by first uncovering the box. By the present construction the rod plays freely in the tube 4 and does not interfere with the entire removal of the cover.

\Vhen it is desired to discharge a portion of the contents of the box, the valve is depressed, and such part as lies around the apices of the cones is carried down and delivered from the nozzle, as indicated in Fig. 1. Upon removing the finger from the cap 6 the spring immediately closes the valve, acting at the same time to stir the contents of the box. Its location just about and above the nozzle adapts it for this purpose.

lleretofore it has been found in practice that the valves in use out a channel through some substance like powdered soap, the surrounding portion becoming packed and refusing to flow down with sufficient freedom into the nozzle below. This evil is remedied in the present construction by the spring located in close proximity to the outlet, which, by its expansion and contraction, obviates the above-described action of the valve.

The screw-thread connection of the cone 9 thus vary the amount of -;power delivered.

If desired, the device may be provided with an ornamental bracket, as shown in Fig. 1, or the wall ofthe box may be extended, as at 13, to form a foot for the same. This can be made to flare, and can be given an ornamental form, if desired. It is not essential, how ever, to the operation of the device, neither is the particular form of the spring nor the valve, though the former is preferably located in the lower partof the receptacle, and the latter is so shaped as'to avoid cutting a channel through the' contents of the box, and is adapted to discharge adefinite though regulable quantity.

The article is intended to be used with any fine substance which it is desired to discharge in a measured manner, and it is by no means confined to use with powdered soap, for which, however, it is well adapted.-

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is-- 1. In a device for sprinkling powder, the receptacle provided with a nozzle and a cover, in combination with a valve having its body made in two parts, one of which is adjustable to vary the amount of discharge, and a valve rod or stem extending through the cover and freely movable therein, substantially as described.

2. In a device for sprinkling powder, the

receptacle provided with a nozzle and a cover, in combination with the valve having stops, and a rod or. stem extending through the cover and freely movable therein, and a spring surrounding the valve-rod and closely adjacent to the entrance to the nozzle and adapted to close the valve and stir the powder, substantially as described.

3. In a device for sprinkling powder, the receptacle provided with a nozzle and acover provided with an open tube, in combination with a valve and valve-rod, the latter passing through the cover and tube and having over its free end a movable cap fitting the tube in the cover, whereby the valve can be opened,

and whereby the cap may, when desired, be'

removed to permit powder to be introduced without removing the cover, substantially as set forth.

4. In a device for sprinkling powder, a receptacle having a cover and nozzle, in combination with a valve and valve-rod, the valve being formed of two cone-shaped pieces with their apices directed toward each other, one of said pieces being adjustable, substantially as described.

- In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the ing witnesses.

JOSIAH SULLIVAN, W. G. JEROME.

presence of two subscrilr 

